Olympic flame touches down in Canberra

The Olympic flame has been welcomed amid tight security after landing at the Canberra airport RAAF base.

The flame flew in from Jakarta, where it was paraded through a heavily-guarded stadium last night after police stopped about 100 pro-Tibet protesters from disrupting the Indonesian relay leg.

The international symbol of the Olympic Games was given a red carpet welcome when it was carried off the aircraft.

Amid tight security the flame, held in a special lantern, was carried on to the tarmac, where it was welcomed by Indigenous elder Agnes Shea before being handed over to ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope.

Mr Stanhope told the gathering that participation in the relay was important for those who cared about human rights as well as those who cared about the ideals of sport.

About 20 Chinese security officers disembarked from the plane dressed in blue tracksuits and another two flanked the flame as it flickered on the tarmac.

It is the only Australian stop-off for the Olympic torch before it embarks on a massive tour of China.